OK, so this is my first really long story. I'm new to this site too so I don't know if I'm doing this right. Please review and tell me if it was good or bad ...

Note: This is how I'm writing:

- = when someone speaks with thoughts.

" " = when someone speaks aloud.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Inheritance Cycle characters, even though I sometimes wish I did.

Chapter 1: Awakening

Arya lay in her bed, staring miserably up at the stone ceiling overhead. Her eyes followed one of the lines that was created where two stone blocks met, searching in vain to find the end. By doing so, by searching for something she knew she would not find, she managed to calm her racing mind a little. But it was definitely not enough.

It had gone a day and a half now since she'd been rescued by Eragon, Saphira and Murtagh. A day and a half during which time she had existed in a kind of mist, drifting just between wakefulness and unconsciousness. It was only now, about twenty minutes ago, that her whole being had come up and broken the surface of the waking world. The healers had, after examining Arya and assuring her that she would be all right, left her alone for some time, to let her rest.

But Arya was restless, wanting nothing more than to get up and do something, no matter what. But she knew that this was still beyond her ability. She was still feeling weak and powerless, and every time she moved a little too quickly, she got dizzy and faint. So she stayed where she was, letting the questions float up and around in her mind and making no effort to stop them. Because she knew she would not be capable of ever managing that.

Of course, Arya knew she should be glad, happy, grateful beyond measure for an escape that, until a week ago, had seemed so impossible. And of course, she was feeling grateful, and she longed to talk to Eragon and Saphira, to thank them and tell them how much it meant to her that they'd taken her away from that horrible place. But all the memories of what she'd been forced to go through, all the mourning for Fäolin and Glenwing, were overriding the happiness and thankfulness at the moment. There was just so much to think about, and she also had a feeling that there was far too little time.

The sound of voices drifting closer from outside interrupted Arya's thoughts. Feeling very relieved indeed, she pulled herself up more straight. Just in case they were coming to meet her. But the voices had stopped, maybe just outside her door, and now she was also able to make out the words.

"She needs resting, I tell you", one of the voices, which Arya knew belonged to a healer, was saying. "I would suggest that you returned tomorrow. Or this evening, if it's urgent."

"It is more than urgent, Ildera", replied a man's voice. "I've got to see her now. As far as I am aware, tomorrow might be too late. The Urgals and the Kulls might be standing on our threshold earlier than any of us expected."

Arya froze where she sat, partly because she knew the person speaking, and partly because of his words. Ajihad was telling the healer that Urgals, and even Kulls, were coming? Coming to Farthen Dûr? But why? Was all this due to her? She did not want to admit it, but supposed that this was probably correct.

The discussion outside her door had come to an end by this time, although Arya hadn't heard a word of it. But she understood that Ajihad had won when there was a soft knock on her door, after which it swung open and he appeared. His eyes fell upon her immediately, filled with an expression she hadn't seen in them before. It wasn't altogether anxious, but much softer than he usually looked. Almost as if ... as if he felt sorry for her. Almost as if he regretted what she'd been forced to go through.

When he spoke, Ajihad's voice was also different.

"Arya", he said, coming to sit on a chair beside her bed. "How are you feeling?"

While trying hard not to show that she'd noticed any change in his behaviour, Arya said indifferently:

"Not as well as I would wish to be, but better than I had hoped."

"I see."

Ajihad was silent for a while, before saying:

"The healers have told me not to speak with you about anything of great urgency until you are stronger. But I do not agree, since the situation among the Varden is quite urgent for the moment. How much do you know about your journey from Gil'ead?"

Arya took a deep breath, hardening herself against what she knew would come. Even though this was far better than just doing nothing, she knew it would not be easy to talk about it. All those memories which she was fighting so hard to keep away would surely turn up again, sharper and clearer and more painful than ever, and she would have to suppress them yet again. She was quite good at it, because her 50 years with the Varden had given her much practice. But this was probably going to be harder than ever.

"Not much", Arya said, as an answer to Ajihad's question. "I do know about the escape, though, because Eragon told me about it. But I do not know anything after that."

Ajihad nodded, seeming to consider for a while before he replied.

"Well, I will not give you any details now. But I can tell you that you travelled faster than I thought would be possible through the valley, and it took you eight days to get here from Gil'ead altogether. But when you arrived at Kósta-Mérna, you were attacked by an army of both Urgals and Kulls. I must say that I do not know if you would have made it if we had not found you there. But we did, and we fought the Urgals, and none of you came to any harm. Eragon and Saphira are well now, and they've asked quite a lot about you."

"Oh!" said Arya, trying in vain to understand all this. "But ... Eragon and Saphira ..."

Her voice faltered, then died away, as she realized that she had no idea what to say. What Ajihad had told her just caused even more question to rise inside her, and the desire to get up and do something increased. She would have to talk to Eragon and Saphira, very soon. And where was Murtagh? Not until now did she realize that Ajihad had not mentioned him at all, which was a little odd. Oh, there were so many things going on at once, so many things that she was vainly struggling to put together! So much that needed to be done in such short time.

"Arya?" Ajihad said, putting a hand on her shoulder and meeting her eyes, still with that worried expression filling his eyes. "What are you thinking about?"

"Well, I was just ... wondering about Eragon and Saphira. I mean ... what made them do it? We do not even know each other! They had no reason to doi what they did, and it certainly cost them a lot as well!"

"Yes, but ..."

It was clear that Ajihad was looking for a good explanation, without finding any.

"Maybe Saphira recognized you", he said finally. "Dragons can touch the minds of other persons even when they are inside their eggs, can't they?"

"Yes, they can", Arya admitted. "And yes, I have talked to Saphira quite a lot, to be honest. But when Eragon contacted me, he did not seem aware of this at all. So at least Saphira cannot have mentioned it to him. Of course, she might have just forgotten, but I don't know ..."

"Well, you'd better ask them about it", Ajihad said. "I have not done it, because I think they want you to be the first to hear what they've got to say about this."

"Yes, maybe."

Silence fell between them yet again. Arya's head was swimming, and she closed her eyes for a while, taking deep breaths to calm herself. She'd have to stop thinking, she realized. This was not the first time she thought too much about something, and it certainly was not going to be the last either. It would be easy to say that she was just the kind of person who did, and that there was nothing wrong about it. But everything just seemed to get harder to understand the more she thought about it. Problems made up out of nothing was the least they needed now.

No, Arya thought, looking up at the ceiling once more. I'd better just follow the healers' advice: rest until I can do more. Not entirely satisfied with the idea, but knowing that there was no alternative, she sighed.

"We shall talk more tomorrow", said Ajihad, getting to his feet. "I will see you as soon as I can."

"Yes", said Arya, lying down again and letting her gaze follow him as he left the room.